Les 9 meilleurs mélanges d’huiles essentielles à l’encens pour soulager le stress et mieux dormir
What does frankincense essential oil blend well with? 9 frankincense diffuser blends with lavender, ylang ylang, orange and more, for calm and sleep.
In this guide
Frankincense blends well with lavender, citrus, woods and other resins, which makes it one of the easiest oils to mix. Its warm, woody scent has been used for centuries to calm the mind. Below are 9 frankincense diffuser blends for stress relief, better sleep and a brighter mood.
Key takeaways
- Frankincense pairs best with lavender, bergamot, sweet orange, cedarwood and myrrh.
- Citrus oils lift it, florals soften it, and woods make it deeper and warmer.
- A simple starting ratio is 3 drops frankincense, 2 drops of a partner oil and 1 drop of an accent.
- Most diffusers need 4 to 6 drops in total. Run them for 30 to 60 minutes, then take a break.
- Dilute before skin use, and take care around children, pregnancy and cats.
What does frankincense blend well with?
Frankincense has a soft, resinous scent with a hint of citrus and pine. It sits in the middle of a blend, so it gets along with almost every oil family. Many people use it to make a blend feel calmer and more grounded.
Here are the oils that pair best with it, and what each one adds.
| Oil | Scent it adds | Try it for |
|---|---|---|
| Lavender | Soft, herbal floral | Sleep and winding down |
| Bergamot | Bright, slightly floral citrus | Stress relief and low mood |
| Sweet orange | Sweet, juicy citrus | A cheerful, relaxed home |
| Ylang ylang | Rich, sweet floral | Calm and a positive mood |
| Cedarwood | Dry, warm wood | Deep sleep and grounding |
| Myrrh | Earthy, smoky resin | Meditation and focus |
| Clary sage | Nutty, herbal sweetness | Anxious or busy thoughts |
| Chamomile | Warm, herbal apple | Bedtime and calm |
| Lemon | Sharp, clean citrus | A fresh-smelling home |
| Peppermint | Cool, minty lift | Energy and clear thinking |
| Eucalyptus | Fresh, camphor-like air | Easier, clearer breathing |
| Patchouli | Deep, earthy musk | Cosy evenings and sleep |
| Grapefruit | Tangy, uplifting citrus | Mood and motivation |
Sandalwood and spruce also work well if you already have them. You can browse every single oil in our essential oils collection.
Pro tip
Use the 3:2:1 rule. Three drops of frankincense as the base, two drops of a partner oil, and one drop of a strong accent such as ylang ylang or peppermint. It keeps the blend balanced, so no single oil takes over.
9 frankincense diffuser blends to try
Each blend uses our Frankincense Sacra as the base. Add the drops to the water in your diffuser and switch it on.
1. Calm Mind Blend
Best for: unwinding after a busy day
- 3 drops Frankincense oil
- 2 drops Lavender oil
- 1 drop Bergamot oil
A gentle, rounded blend that helps quiet a busy mind. Try it in the early evening when work is done.
2. Deep Sleep Blend
Best for: bedtime and restful sleep
- 3 drops Frankincense oil
- 2 drops Cedarwood oil
- 1 drop Chamomile oil
Warm wood and soft chamomile make a cosy, sleepy scent. Diffuse it in the bedroom for 30 minutes before you turn the light off.
3. Stress Relief Blend
Best for: easing tension and lifting your mood
- 3 drops Frankincense oil
- 2 drops Sweet orange oil
- 1 drop Ylang ylang oil
Sweet orange brings a light, sunny note and ylang ylang adds softness. Many people find it helps take the edge off a stressful day.
4. Fresh and Clean Home Blend
Best for: a fresh home and clear breathing
- 3 drops Frankincense oil
- 2 drops Lemon oil
- 1 drop Eucalyptus oil
Lemon and eucalyptus keep the air smelling clean while frankincense keeps it calm. For more ideas, see our breathe easy recipes.
5. Positive Thinking Blend
Best for: a brighter, more hopeful mood
- 4 drops Frankincense oil
- 3 drops Bergamot oil
- 3 drops Ylang ylang oil
This is a stronger blend, so save it for a larger room or a bigger diffuser. Bergamot and ylang ylang are a classic pairing for a happy, settled feeling.
6. Anxiety Relief Blend
Best for: anxious feelings and racing thoughts
- 3 drops Frankincense oil
- 2 drops Clary sage oil
- 1 drop Lavender oil
Clary sage and lavender are both traditionally used to calm the nerves. This blend helps balance emotions when anxiety builds up.
7. Meditation Blend
Best for: meditation, yoga and focus
- 4 drops Frankincense oil
- 2 drops Myrrh oil
Frankincense and myrrh have been burned together for thousands of years. Their deep, resinous scent helps you feel grounded and focused.
8. Night Calm Blend
Best for: a peaceful bedroom and better sleep
- 3 drops Frankincense oil
- 2 drops Patchouli oil
- 1 drop Lavender oil
Earthy patchouli makes this richer than the Deep Sleep Blend. It suits people who like a warm, heavier scent at night.
9. Mood Uplift Blend
Best for: low energy and afternoon slumps
- 3 drops Frankincense oil
- 2 drops Grapefruit oil
- 1 drop Peppermint oil
Grapefruit and peppermint wake you up, while frankincense keeps you calm. Use it when you need focus without feeling wired.
Frankincense with lavender, bergamot, ylang ylang and orange
These four partners come up most often. Here is how each one works with frankincense, and what else it pairs with.
Frankincense and lavender
Yes, frankincense and lavender go together very well. Lavender softens the resin and makes the blend feel restful. Try 3 drops of frankincense with 2 drops of lavender for sleep.
Frankincense and bergamot
Bergamot adds a bright, slightly floral citrus note. It is a lovely daytime pairing for stress and low mood. Our bergamot is FCF, so it is gentler if you also use it on skin.
What does ylang ylang blend well with?
Ylang ylang is rich and sweet, so use it in small amounts. It blends well with frankincense, bergamot, sweet orange, lavender, sandalwood and patchouli. Try 1 drop of ylang ylang with 3 drops of frankincense and 2 drops of bergamot.
What does orange essential oil blend well with?
Sweet orange blends well with frankincense, cedarwood, ylang ylang, lavender, clove and peppermint. It brightens heavy woods and resins. Try 2 drops of orange with 3 drops of frankincense for a cheerful, calm room.
For more lavender ideas, read our lavender diffuser blends to relax and de-stress.
Which type of frankincense is best for blending?
Frankincense is not one single oil. It comes from several Boswellia trees, and each smells a little different.
- Frankincense Serrata (Boswellia serrata): deep, earthy and grounding. Great for stress relief and meditation blends.
- Frankincense Carterii (Boswellia carterii): the classic, all-round frankincense. It blends beautifully with lavender and citrus for calm and sleep.
- Frankincense Sacra (Boswellia sacra): rich, warm and sweet. Our favourite for sleep, meditation and every blend on this page.
- Frankincense Frereana (Boswellia frereana): lighter and slightly sweet, often used for easy breathing at bedtime.
- Frankincense Papyrifera (Boswellia papyrifera): soft and uplifting, used for mood and balance.
In short, Serrata and Carterii suit deep relaxation, while Sacra is best for sleep and meditation. Any of the three will work in the recipes above.
How to use frankincense in a diffuser
Diffusing frankincense is simple. Fill your diffuser with water to the line, add your drops and switch it on.
- Use 4 to 6 drops in total for a standard diffuser and an average room.
- Use up to 10 drops for a large room or a bigger diffuser.
- Run it for 30 to 60 minutes, then give the room a rest.
- Rinse and dry your diffuser every few days so old oils do not build up.
Less is more. If you can smell the blend strongly from the doorway, use fewer drops next time.
Benefits of diffusing frankincense for stress and sleep
Frankincense is well known for its calming, grounding effect. It has been used in temples and homes for centuries to slow the breath and settle the mind.
- Helps reduce stress and anxious feelings
- Supports better, more restful sleep
- Helps you relax after a long day
- Improves focus during meditation and yoga
- Encourages slow, deep breathing
Use your favourite blend every day for a week or two. Many people find the calming effect builds with regular use.
Want something more energising? Try our 5 DIY energising diffuser blends.
Is it safe to diffuse frankincense?
Safety first
Never put essential oils on your skin undiluted. Mix them with a carrier oil such as sweet almond or jojoba first, at around 1 to 2 percent.
- Keep oils out of reach of children. Avoid diffusing peppermint and eucalyptus near babies and young children.
- Cats are very sensitive to diffused oils. Diffuse away from cats, and always leave pets a way out of the room.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your GP or midwife first. Clary sage is best avoided in pregnancy.
- Speak to a doctor first if you have asthma, epilepsy or any medical condition.
- Lemon and grapefruit can make skin sensitive to sunlight. This only matters on skin, not in a diffuser.
FAQs
What does frankincense essential oil blend well with?
Frankincense blends well with lavender, bergamot, sweet orange, lemon, ylang ylang, cedarwood, sandalwood and myrrh. Citrus lifts it, florals soften it and woods deepen it. Start with 3 drops of frankincense and 2 drops of lavender or sweet orange.
What scents go well with frankincense?
Fresh citrus, soft florals, warm woods and earthy resins all go well with frankincense. For a calm home, try frankincense with orange. For a deeper scent, pair it with cedarwood or myrrh.
Can you mix frankincense and lavender together?
Yes. Frankincense and lavender are one of the most popular pairings for stress relief and sleep. Use 3 drops of frankincense to 2 drops of lavender in your diffuser.
What essential oil goes with frankincense for sleep?
Lavender, cedarwood, chamomile and patchouli are the best partners for sleep. Try the Deep Sleep Blend: 3 drops of frankincense, 2 of cedarwood and 1 of chamomile.
What does ylang ylang essential oil blend well with?
Ylang ylang blends well with frankincense, bergamot, sweet orange, lavender, sandalwood and patchouli. It is strong, so 1 drop is usually enough.
How many drops of frankincense should I put in a diffuser?
Use 3 to 5 drops of frankincense on its own, or 4 to 6 drops in total for a blend. Adjust the amount for your room size and how strong you like the scent.
Does frankincense help with anxiety and stress?
Frankincense has been used for centuries to calm the mind. Many people find that diffusing it helps them feel less anxious and more relaxed, especially with lavender or clary sage.
Is it safe to diffuse frankincense around pets?
Take extra care with cats, as they are very sensitive to diffused oils. Diffuse in a well-aired room, keep sessions short and make sure pets can leave if they want.
The bottom line
Frankincense is one of the easiest oils to blend, and it works with almost everything. Start with one of the 9 recipes above, then swap in your own favourite partner oils. Find frankincense and all its partners in our essential oils collection.
Shop the oils in this guide
See all essential oils
Huile essentielle de Boswellia serrata biologiqueFrom £7.99
Huile Essentielle de Boswellia Carterii BiologiqueFrom £13.99
Huile essentielle d’encens Sacra biologiqueFrom £11.99
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Huile essentielle de bergamote FCFFrom £6.99
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